49ers team historian shares more on R.C. Owens’ life, legacy

It’s Dan Brown with another guest post for Cam Inman, who is on vacation …

R.C. Owens was such a remarkable player and personality that it’s hard to capture his contributions to the 49ers in a single story.

Fortunately, 49ers historian Donn Sinn is here with another salute to the hands behind the “Alley Oop.”

Sinn unearthed numerous gems from his Owens collection and was kind enough to send them our way this morning. It turns out that the 49ers receiver played a key role on the field, in free agency and even in fashion (Owens was among the first WRs to wear gloves.)

Without further ado, welcome to Sinn City. Thanks as always, Donn, for your impeccable research:

— Owens was the first 1,000-yd receiver in 49ers history. In 1961, he had 55 receptions, 1,032 yards, 18.8 yd per catch avg. and 5 TDs.

— When “Oop” left the 49ers after the 1961 season, he signed with the Baltimore Colts as a free-agent. Because it was the first time another team signed an opposing player, his signing brought about the “Rozelle Rule” whereby Commissioner Pete Rozelle would decide on compensation for the losing team. Hence, R.C. was directly responsible for the “Rozelle Rule.” But the 49ers received no compensation for his loss because of “ex post facto”.

— The departure of R.C. after the 1961 season led to the 49ers drafting of Arkansas HB Lance Alworth in 1962. The 49ers wanted Alworth to replace Owens in the event he would not re-sign with San Francisco. Unfortunately, the 49ers lost out to the San Diego Chargers who signed the Razorback star and Future Hall-of-Fame player.

— Chargers’ offensive ends coach Al Davis (the one and the same Al Davis who joined the Raiders in 1963) signed Alworth underneath the goal posts in front of 49ers Head Coach Red Hickey and team owner Vic Morabito immediately following the Sugar Bowl game. Interestingly, the Chargers had acquired the rights to Lance Alworth in a draft day trade from the Oakland Raiders who had selected him in the second round. Oakland announced the trade on December 7, 1961. The rest is history.

— Owens was also a pioneer in the use of gloves for pass catching during cold weather games. This was a practice that he developed during his years while playing for the College of Idaho. 49ers’ coach Howard ‘Red’ Hickey discouraged Owens from the practice of utilizing gloves saying “This is the NFL, son.”

— During his rookie season (1957), three of Owens’ five touchdown receptions were last minute game winners, hence the nickname “Alley-Oop” and “cliff-hangers.”

Here’s a list of those winning passes:

October 6, 1957: A leaping 12-yard touchdown pass from Tittle over Rams’ cornerback Jesse Castete in the back corner of the end zone late in the fourth-quarter (10:54 on the clock) to circumvent a Rams’ second-half rally for a 23-20 49ers victory. It marked the debut of the ‘Alley-Oop’ pass. (Kezar Stadium)

October 13, 1957: Owens’ caught a touchdown pass with 14:33 on the clock to defeat the Chicago Bears at Wrigley Field, 21-17. Owens was knocked down in the end zone while running his route and crawled to his knees where he caught Tittle’s touchdown pass just across the goal line. It was his “prayer” pass. Only 27 seconds remained on the clock. (Side note from Dan Brown: Because he was on his knees for this catch, Owens once laughingly described this play to me as an “Alley-Down.”)

November 2, 1957: A 41-yard scoring reception on a Tittle Alley-Oop pass where R.C. out-jumped Lions’ defenders Jack Christiansen and Jim David to give the 49ers a 35-31 victory with 0:11 second remaining. (Kezar Stadium)

(Side note from Donn Sinn: Christiansen joined the 49ers’ coaching staff in 1959 as the defensive backs coach. On September 30,1963 the 49ers named Christiansen Head Coach after Hickey’s resignation following the season’s third game. Christiansen added Jim David as the 49ers’ defensive backs coach in 1964.)